22 MINOR TACTICS OF THE CHALK STREAM 



rather far across for accurate casting in such a 

 windj and presently a sudden gust slammed the 

 line down upon the spot with such a splash as no 

 self-respecting trout could be expected to endure. 



A movement upstream was prescribed by the 

 conditions, and presently another dimple like the 

 last was spotted in a more favourable position. 

 It was repeated after an interval, but no fly was 

 to be seen on the surface ; so, without an attempt 

 at drying, the Rough Olive was despatched on his 

 mission, and lit a foot or so above the spot. 

 Again, and once more, it did so, and then there 

 was a hint of a grey-brown flicker in the hollow of 

 a wave. By instinct rather than reason the hand 

 went up, and the arch of the rod showed that the 

 steel had gone home. In due course the trout — a 

 fish of fourteen inches — was landed, and the angler 

 proceeded upward. 



He soon found, however, that to reach and 

 cover the trout satisfactorily it behoved him to 

 cross, and tackle them from the other side, and he 

 made his way to the footbridge. On the way 

 down, on the main stream he saw another hint of 

 a rise in midstream, where the waves were highest. 

 The wind served him well, and the fly was over 

 the trout in no time. For four or five casts there 

 was no response ; then again that grey-brown 

 shadow for a moment in the trough of a wave, 

 mounting rod, a screaming reel, and a vigorous 

 trout was battling for his life. 



